Florida to Alabama Moving Guide
Updated June 11, 2025

Planning a 567 mile interstate move from Florida to Alabama? This moving guide will help you compare living in Florida vs Alabama across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hurricane season vs fewer hurricanes), food & health (like Key Lime Pie vs BBQ Brisket), real estate & housing (spanish revival, modern vs antebellum, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Florida), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Key Lime Pie and Cuban Sandwich, but get your taste buds ready for BBQ Brisket & Fried Catfish
- Alabama housing costs are 43% less expensive than they are in Florida
- Rent in Alabama is 33.75% more affordable than in Florida
- Moving from Florida to Alabama will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
- Our top recommended Florida to Alabama movers is Sebastian Moving and More
Florida to Alabama Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Florida to Alabama
- Hurricane season
- High cost of living
- Heavy tourism traffic
- Hot, humid summers
- High insurance rates
- Fewer hurricanes
- Lower cost of living
- Less crowded beaches
- Milder summers
- Lower insurance rates
- Limited coastal access
- Quieter evening scene
- Fewer dining options
- Fewer tourist spots
- Cooler winters
- World-class beaches
- Vibrant nightlife
- International cuisine
- Tons of attractions
- Year-round warmth
Pros of moving from Florida to Alabama
- Say goodbye to hurricane season and hello to fewer hurricanes
- Look forward to moving away from the high cost of living and moving to Alabama with the lower cost of living
- Swap the heavy tourism traffic of Florida for less crowded beaches in Alabama
- Get ready for milder summers in Alabama
Cons of moving from Florida to Alabama
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the world-class beaches in Florida to live with limited coastal access in Alabama
- You'll lose out on the pro of vibrant nightlife and have to settle for the con of a quieter evening scene
- Time to bid farewell to international cuisine and get used to fewer dining options in Alabama
- Swap tons of attractions for fewer tourist spots
Florida vs. Alabama: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Florida | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Key Lime Pie | BBQ Brisket |
Most popular meat dish | Cuban Sandwich | Fried Catfish |
Most popular street food item | Arepa | Pulled Pork Sandwich |
Most popular vegan food | Jackfruit Tacos | Black-eyed Pea Hummus |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
|
|
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± |
If you're moving from Florida to Alabama, you will be trading the iconic Key Lime Pie of Florida for the equally delicious BBQ Brisket of Alabama. And while the locals in Florida rave about their flavorful Cuban Sandwich and sumptuous Arepa, Alabama residents know they have tasty Fried Catfish and Pulled Pork Sandwich to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Jackfruit Tacos they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Black-eyed Pea Hummus of Alabama. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Florida eateries like Joe's Stone Crab, Versailles Restaurant, and Bern's Steak House. After the boxes are unpacked in Alabama, don't wait too long before making your way to Alabama's acclaimed eateries like Saw's Soul Kitchen, Highlands Bar and Grill, and The Bright Star.
When comparing lifestyles, Alabama shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Florida. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Alabama compared to what you are used to in Florida. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Alabama.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Florida and Alabama
Comparison | Florida | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Spanish Revival, Modern | Antebellum, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Waterfront, Gated Community | Large Yards, Historic Features |
- The Spanish Revival and Modern architecture that Florida is known for will be replaced with the Antebellum and Craftsman architecture typical of Alabama.
- Compared to Florida's real estate listings that commonly reference waterfront and gated communities, Alabama real estate listings often highlight features like large yards and historic details.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Alabama is less walkable than Florida.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Alabama is less bike-friendly than Florida.
- Alabama has less of an urban feel than Florida.
- Alabama housing costs are 43% less expensive than they are in Florida, with a median home price of $226,045 compared to Floridaβs $397,137.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Alabama have increased by 45% compared to a 66% increase in Florida.
- Rent in Alabama is 33.75% more affordable than in Florida.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Florida and Alabama
Comparison | Florida | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ |
Avg. UV Index | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ |
Natural Disasters | Hurricanes, Tropical Storms | Tornadoes, Hurricanes |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 90Β°F / 75Β°F | 91Β°F / 72Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 70Β°F / 48Β°F | 57Β°F / 36Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 53" | 56" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 0" | 2" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Florida to Alabama. Alabama gets 10% fewer sunshine days than Florida.
- Alabama has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Florida.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and tropical storms in Florida, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and hurricanes in Alabama.
- The average summer high temperature in Alabama is 1 degree warmer than in Florida.
- The average winter lows in Alabama are 12 degrees colder than they are in Florida.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Alabama. Alabama receives 3 more inches of rain compared to Florida.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Florida and Alabama
Comparison | Florida | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $69,303 | $59,674 |
Cost of Living Index | 97.8 | 91.2 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 2%-5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.83% | 0.39% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.05% | 8.91% |
Top 3 Industries | Tourism, Agriculture, Aerospace | Manufacturing, Retail, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | Varied |
Poverty | Moderate | High |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Alabama tend to earn about 14% less than in Florida
- The COLI in Alabama will be 7% lower than what you are used to living in Florida
- Bummer... By moving from FL to AL, you'll now have a state income tax of 2%-5%
- The affluence in Alabama is varied compared to moderate affluence in Florida
- The poverty level is high in Alabama compared to moderate poverty in Florida
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Florida and low in Alabama
Political and Religious Climate in Florida vs. Alabama
Comparison | Florida | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed; leans Republican in recent elections | Strongly Republican |
Local Politics | Diverse, urban areas lean Democratic | Consistently Republican, with some Democratic strongholds |
Religion | Mixed, with a large Catholic presence thanks to Hispanic communities. | Primarily Protestant, particularly Baptist. |
- Florida tends to lean mixed and leans Republican in its political climate
- Alabama, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Republican
- Alabama's religious environment can be described as primarily Protestant, particularly Baptist
- Florida's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as mixed with a large Catholic presence thanks to Hispanic communities
Education Guide When Moving from Florida to Alabama
Comparison | Florida | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Florida Florida State University University of Central Florida | University of Alabama Auburn University University of Alabama at Birmingham |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Pine View School (Osprey) Doral Academy Charter (Doral) Archimedean Academy (Miami) | Mountain Brook Elementary (Mountain Brook) Vestavia Hills Elementary West (Vestavia Hills) Cherokee Bend Elementary (Mountain Brook) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Jose Marti MAST 6-12 Academy (Hialeah) Archimedean Middle Conservatory (Miami) Doral Academy Charter Middle School (Doral) | Mountain Brook Junior High (Mountain Brook) Liberty Park Middle School (Vestavia Hills) Berry Middle School (Hoover) |
Top 3 High Schools | Pine View School (Osprey) School for Advanced Studies (Miami) Design and Architecture Senior High (Miami) | Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School (Montgomery) Mountain Brook High School (Mountain Brook) Bob Jones High School (Madison) |
Top 3 private high schools | Ransom Everglades School (Coconut Grove) Pine Crest School (Fort Lauderdale) The Bolles School (Jacksonville) | The Altamont School (Birmingham) Indian Springs School (Indian Springs) Randolph School (Huntsville) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Pine Crest School (Fort Lauderdale) American Heritage School (Plantation) Bolles School (Jacksonville) | Randolph School (Huntsville) Indian Springs School (Indian Springs) The Altamont School (Birmingham) |
Top 3 School Districts | Sarasota County Schools St. Johns County School District Okaloosa County School District | Mountain Brook City Schools Vestavia Hills City Schools Hoover City Schools |
How Much Do Florida to Alabama Movers Cost?
Moving 567 miles from Florida to Alabama will typically cost between $2,500 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $5,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 3-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Veteran Moving Group
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,524 | 300 ft3 | $5.08 |
1 Bedroom | $2,263 | 450 ft3 | $5.03 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,735 | 750 ft3 | $4.98 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,423 | 1100 ft3 | $4.93 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,808 | 1600 ft3 | $4.88 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,694 | 1800 ft3 | $4.83 |
Top Florida to Alabama Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Florida to Alabama movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sebastian Moving and More
Best moving company overall for Florida to Alabama